 Poster: A snowHead
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Without suggesting my own skiing capabilities are of legendary status, I cant help but wonder as to what the actual levels of skiing and exertion people who claim to be skiing for 8+ hours a day are....
In the good old days when I was learning to ski, I skied from first lift to last, with an instructor for 4 hours a day, and with friends before and after, and generally covered not a lot of piste....this was due to the fact that it took me a while to get down between lifts....
Upon hitting the intermediate plateau, I found myself spending more and more time sat on lifts, simply because the ski between them was so much quicker.
These days, whilst being 20+ years older, I am also fitter, and generally have more technical ability, and also a tendency to push myself harder, and as a result, am exerting myself a lot more. For example, a morning of serious off piste (maybe including walking or skinning up and a long traverse, followed by a decent ski down several pitches, whilst only taking a few hours, means I tend to think I have had sufficient exercise for the day. Anyone who can claim to ski from first lift to last lift as so many of you appear to be doing, may I be so bold as to suggest you are possibly the same people who kid themselves as to the level of their ability ? I challenge anybody, triathletes or whatever, to seriously ski for 8+ hours a day at high levels of exertion, non-stop, then eat and drink to the levels people also claim, for a full week....I am no nutritionist, nor do I have the levels of fitness of professional athletes, but I can't help but think some of you are exaggerating your case on several fronts.....
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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To be honest, does it really matter?
Remember folks, we do this for FUN
You need to ski in the way that will give you enjoyment, and the only time it matters whether that is blast all day with minimal stops, or ski half an hour stop halaf an hour all day, is if you are skiing in a group who don't all want to do the same thing.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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alex_heney,
Wasn't really about whether it matters, I was just interested in what people generally do! Undoubtably it is about enjoyment after all it is a holiday ! I was just kinda interested who enjoys a relaxing holiday an dwho enjoys a fast paced exertive holiday and who enjoys a bit of both!
Guvnor,
When we ski without taking a 1 hour restaurant break and 3 coffee 15 min breaks we are generally covering alot of distance through big systems covered by lifts. Such as is possible in 3V or PdS etc.
When we ski off piste we still start at 8.30 and finish at 5 but we generally do rest for 1 hour in the middle, as this type of skiing is much more tiring!
In a week holiday I am going off piste once or twice and the rest of the week is piste stuff and generally the first day is a full day but i dont push it becuase my brain needs to remember how to ski!
It is amazing how quickly i forget everything about skiing, this year we descended from the Valluga, St Anton to Zurs quite challenging, literally 10 days later I was in Chamonix for a weekend and for the first 2 runs of the day I felt like I couldn't even remember how to parallel turn! It was seriously disconcerting.
Nutritionally during ski holidays I easily consume 5000 calories a day and it could well be higher. Also I sleep from 10:30pm - 7am and my alcohol consumption is 3-4 beers or 1/2 a bottle of wine max during the evening. (Yes i'm boring!!!)
To put it into perspective James Cracknell (olympic Rowing champion)when he trains consumes 7000 calories and rows many many many miles each day! I'm no where near a professional athlete but I dont ski like a professional I just ski like a fit amateur.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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clara_jo, There were 6 of us in the last trip, we planned to ski the first day together at least. Got to the top of the first gondola, 3 went left to a blue, 3 went right to a red.
So in answer to your question, 3 is the most, even with 4 people we tend to spilt into 2 lots of 2.
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| Quote: |
herding cats comes to mind
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holidayloverxx,  That was our phrase of the week! Even trying to get out of the chalet in the morning was a nightmare some days.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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plectrum, My calorie intake on skiing holidays is rather weird. Due to altitude and hangovers my meal intake averages somewhat less than 1 meal per day over the week. My alcohol intake is however much higher. So bottom line, plenty of calories but from the wrong source.
clara_jo, We can easily keep a group of 8 together. We have however skiied together for a large number of trips (50+) and though the group fluctuates in size and makeup each trip there are a hard core each time. We have one guy who always takes the lead (Name of Tambini, he also organises the trips), I usually take a position of tail end Charlie and the rest play in between. Just a question of keeping the guy in front in sight. We ususally do not ski flat out now that 50+ is also an age so that makes it easier.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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clara_jo,
I like to accommodate people, but sometimes for the enjoyment of all someone has to say "I'm doing X, anyone who wants to come, come now - meet at [insert bar/lift/time]" - same when eating out in a group. A bit bossy ( I prefer assertive) I know, but you'd be faffing all day otherwise
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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We often have a dozen or so. Kids involved so we have an adult leader and a tail end Charlie. Sometimes we don't lose anyone 
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Our Christmas holiday is two families with two yoof apiece, so 8 of us. We all ski together all the time. The yoof stop when we stop for a break, but that's probably so that the adults can pay for the drinks!
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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Guvnor, bravo!
I can believe SOME of them do ski from first lift to last. I used to. I was in pretty good shape and didn't think skiing was that much exertion. But then, I wasn't pushing myself either. I just cruise, and I wanted to ski EVERY single run of a resort so I skied non-stop.
Those days were long gone. Now my longest day may be 5-6 hours of snow time. I maybe out for 8 hours door-2-door. But once the lunch time and the walk to the lift is substracted, it's down to 5-6 hours max. And that's quite a long day.
Also, a lot depends on the resorts. I remember trips to places where there's no queue and fast lifts. I would be on the lift the moment I reached the bottom. And before I was ready, I was at the top already! I covered so much on ski I couldn't stay out all day, my legs would be gone by mid-afternoon. But on a big holiday with 30 min. queues, it's a different story.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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The last time I skiied I skiied as hard as I could for as long as possible; didn't last the whole day. Next time I'll try to pace myself so I stay on the mountain until at least 3 o'clock.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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stanton, nice article but if i could afford lunching at these places everyday then taking these breaks from skiing would be no problem as I'd have the cash to book 2 weeks rather than 1 !!!
Hospiz Alm ... and my table will be drinking a chateau lafite 1953
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Ski Bat, Ski Bat,
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Sorry if i have made a mistake but is this web site for SNOWHEADS or not?
People who enjoy playing all day in the mountains... and not those who sit in bars with their goggles on their head at jaunty angles saying "Yeh man! Rude. Took a gnarley line down that blue and blew it out man. Radical! Can you get me a snapple and a plate of chips, i'm starving."
Are these Ski-To-Lunchers welcome on this site??? Could you set up a seperate "Lunchheads" site and let us get on discussing the real issues!?
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"Belt up! You boring prat - Ski Bat!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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plectrum, Do you really think that you burn 5000 calories in a days skiing? How did you come up with this figure?
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Was chatting to the locals last summer in St Martin de Bellville and they were telling me about the rich Russians being helied over from Courchevel to La bouitte in St Marcel for Lunch. Now where did I put that lotery ticket.
The other interesting snipit is that there is a rumour of a new chair going in at StMarcel that will link up with the top of the StMartin gondela
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It's quality over quantity for me every time. On a fresh powder day I'll always hit the first lift and get as many fresh tracks in as possible. Then take an early leisurely lunch and then perhaps cruise the pistes for a couple of hours in the afternoon. On a hard pack day, I might start later in the morning and take a late lunch. All depends on mood and conditions. I try to take longer holidays (2 weeks) which makes the whole thing less intensive. Ski hard when the conditions are great, chill out when they're not. Sometimes reflecting over a hot chocolate and cake with your friends in your favourite mountain cafe, straight after a superb early morning run of fresh powder is as good as it gets
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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here, here, Scarlet Pimpernel, what an idiot.
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| PP wrote: |
| plectrum, Do you really think that you burn 5000 calories in a days skiing? How did you come up with this figure? |
I didnt say burn I said consume!!! I don't know how much I burn but I don't put weight on after skiing holidays I just tone so I figure its a trade.
And how do I come up with that figure, because we eat like pigs when we ski!
Mornings are porridge, with bananas/apples and either chocolate or fruit conserves mixed in. I have now started eating potched eggs in the morning (generally 2 on toast).
Througout the day we are drinking high sugar syrup juice around 3 litres and we munch continuously on nuts, dried fruit and chocolate.
After skiing we have 2 pints or so.
On return to chalet we have dinner 1 which is full fat cheeses, tomatoes, bread and plenty saucisson. When in france we drink Danao fruit and milk juice and then shower.
After we drink little bottled beers i guess 4 or so.
Then Dinner 2 which is generally pasta based big bolognese with many vegetables in and we probably consume two-three times the normal dinner portion, salads and then desert is generally full fat ice cream.
After dinner we drink more beers.
I may be wrong but I guess that is about 5000 calories and this continues pretty much for the whole week. The great thing is that during ski holidays I never feel liek I'm gorging, it just feels like I am replacing energy!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| plectrum wrote: |
I may be wrong but I guess that is about 5000 calories and this continues pretty much for the whole week. ! |
and the rest !
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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That's pretty much what i do but when i come back i have normally put on some kilo's. The reason i ask is that runners will normally burn 100 calories per mile that makes around 2600 calories for a marathon so it would seem that by your calculations we burn 2 marathons worth of calories per day? I should probably ski with you so i don't lard up as much!
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Just back after first ski hol for 17 years. Although reasonably fit, have to say that after an average of 4 hours per day for 6 days (pretty hard skiing, I would say), I was/am absolutely shattered. Legs are still struggling over 2 days later.
As regards food, yes I ate like a pig at breakfast and dinner, but fairly lightly at lunch (if any) and did a fair bit of beer and wine at night, but think I've gained a few pounds (muscle obviously, not fat  ).
All that said, I would be back tomorrow if I had the chance and if it wasn't for the wife and sprog, I'd probably have tried to go for 8 hours a day (I say try, not convinced I'd manage given how tired I feel).
I always feel knackered at the bottom of the lift and raring to go at the top, so maybe I could go forever??
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You know it makes sense.
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For the ultimate non-stop skiing day try the Three Valleys Escapade (lift company promotion of 14 check points to get a certificate and badge, the idea is to do it over your 6 day holiday - but it is possible in a day - with no stopping at all, 13000m of vertical, 30 different lifts and 118km distance) - See http://www.latania.co.uk/photos/2006/Escapade/Escapade.htm
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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It also depends on crowds and conditions.
If it's uncrowded with great snow, I'll take maybe a 20 minute break to refuel and that's it.
If it's crowded: first lift up and ski hard before the hordes arrive, early lunch at 11:00 (to avoid the crowds), ski hard from 11:30 to 1:30 (while everyone else is eating), coffee/beer in the early afternoon as the hordes return, ski hard from 3:00 to closing as the crowds dissipate.
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FAQ
We tried to go out en masse (8 of us) on our last two days, but it all went pear-shaped. I think we ended up with 3 being our optimum number 
Nicked it from somewhere last year 
